Electrical connection fastener



June 3, 1952 F. s. SAMPSON 2,599,488

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FASTENER Filed Feb. 16, 1948 I 8 k, JNVENTOR.FkEDE-R/C/fi SAMPSON,

A T TOR/VII).

Patented June 3, 1952 ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FASTENER Frederick S.Sampson, Saugus, Mass, assignor to United-Carr Fastener (Jorporation,Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 16,1948, Serial No. 8,571

1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates to electrical connectors and moreparticularly to fasteners for providing an efficient solderlessconnection between two or more conductors.

One of the primary objects of th invention is the provision of a simpleelectrical connector adapted for snap-fastening engagement with anapertured support, and which will provide an eflicient electricalconnection with a cooperating lead strip.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedsolderless electrical connector adapted for quick and secure attachmentto an apertured support.

Other aims and objects of the invention will be apparent to personsskilled in the art to which the invention relates from a considerationof the accompanying drawings and annexed specification illustrating anddescribing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a support;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of a support and showing animproved connector embodying the invention associated therewith;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the connecting lead or conductor that maybe used with the improved connector of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of one form of connector embodying theinvention;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the connector shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the connector shown in Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view thereof as taken on the line 1-1of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view illustrating the connectormounted on a suitable support.

Referring to th drawings, a support I of suitable insulating material,such for example, as a phenolic condensation insulating sheet, issuitably apertured as at 2 to receive elements of the connector device.The improved connector of the invention is adapted to be snap locked inthe aperture 2 of the support I and electrically connected with a secondconductor inserted in the aperture 2.

In the illustrated embodiment the connector is preferably formed of afiat strip of conducting material as a part of, or suitably secured to aconductor of an electrical circuit.

Such fiat strip or body Ii! may be of suitable width and has an endportion shaped to provide an angularly extending U-shaped socket portioncomprising a depending leg II, bottom I2 and opposed yieldable leg iii,the latter having a support-retaining edge It. The U-shaped socketportion constitute a fastener, and advantageously may be of lessdiameter or cross sectional dimension than the width of the strip bodyIll. The leg I I, is preferably of arcuate cross section and provideswings I5 for a purpose to be described.

The leg l3 of the socket portion, which may be formed in any suitablemanner as an integral part thereof, is preferably transversely yieldablerelative to the leg I I and is shorter in length by an amount equal tothe thickness of the support so as to snap under the support adjacentthe aperture 2 thereof. Thus, the socket provides a fastener member forsecurely connecting the fastener to an apertured support. Obviously, itmay be readily removed from the support when desired by simply manuallypressing the leg I3 radially inwardly to disengage the edge It from thsupport I.

Preferably the body portion it, adjacent the socket, is shouldered as atIt to receive an end portion I! of a conductor It. The conductor I8 hasan opening I9 preferably surrounded by a skirt 2!]. Thus, the socketmember may be in sorted in the aperture I9 of the conductor I8, in whichcase the end portion ll lies under the shoulder It in engagementtherewith, and electrical contact between the parts is further effectedby engagement of the wings It with the inner surface of the skirt 20.

From the above it will b apparent that the invention provides anextremely simple and economical solderless connector for electriccircuits.

Although I have illustrated and described the invention with referenceto one specific embodiment thereof, I do not intend to be restrictedthereby, as the scope of the invention is best defined in the appendedclaim.

I claim:

An electrical connector installation comprising a support having anaperture and a' plurality of connector strips disposed on one side ofsaid support and electrically engaged one with another, one of saidstrips having an opening in alignment with said aperture of said supportand said strip having an arcuate wall portion adjacent said openingextending into said aperture of said support, the other of said stripsbeing provided with an angularly-disposed fastener part extendingthrough the opening of said first strip into said support aperture, saidfastener part being of U- shaped construction providing a leg inengagement with said arcuate wall portion, a bottom portion and ayieldable leg integral with said bottom portion, said yieldable legbeing in engagement with an opposite surface of said support from thaton which said strips are disposed whereby said strips are held inassembly with said support-and, in' electrical engagement with eachother.

FREDERICK S. SAMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED 4 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Alden Dec. 6,1927 Becker Apr. 29, 1930 Olson June 6, 1933 Alden Dec. 3, 1935 AnthonyOct. 10, 1939 Eby "Apr. 9, 1940 Todd Dec. 28, 1943 Walsh May 27, 1947Buell Nov. 25, 1947

